Thai Anise Basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora)

Thai Anise Basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora)
Short Description
A highly aromatic basil with a distinctive sweet licorice and anise flavour, perfect for Thai and Southeast Asian cooking.
Full Description
Thai Anise Basil is a beautiful and productive herb prized for its glossy green leaves, purple stems, and fragrant mauve flower spikes. Its unique flavour combines sweet basil notes with hints of anise and liquorice, making it an essential ingredient in Thai curries, stir-fries, soups, and fresh salads. The flowers are also edible and attract bees and other pollinators to the garden.
This heat-loving annual grows quickly and can be harvested continuously throughout the warm season. Regular picking encourages bushy growth and prolongs leaf production. Thai Anise Basil is equally suited to vegetable gardens, raised beds, and containers placed in a sunny position.
Growing Conditions
Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 hours daily).
Soil: Rich, fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter.
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Climate: Thrives in warm weather and is sensitive to frost.
Temperature: Ideal growth between 20–35°C.
Spacing: Plant 25–30 cm apart.
Height: 30–60 cm tall.
Spread: 25–40 cm wide.
Feeding: Benefits from regular applications of compost or a balanced liquid fertiliser.
Maintenance: Pinch out growing tips and remove flower spikes if prolonged leaf production is desired.